Steve Gleason reflects on Saints’ ‘Rebirth’ game and ALS fight 20 years later

Steve Gleason will be back in the Superdome spotlight on Monday night as the New Orleans Saints honor the 20th anniversary of the 2006 “Rebirth” game against the Atlanta Falcons. His early blocked punt in that first home game after Hurricane Katrina has long been viewed as a turning point both for the franchise and for the city of New Orleans.

The stadium had just reopened after serving as a shelter for thousands displaced by the storm. Less than two minutes into the contest, Gleason burst through on special teams and blocked a Falcons punt, which Curtis Deloatch recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. The Saints went on to beat their division rival 23-3, and that play quickly came to symbolize a fresh start for a community that had endured a year of turmoil.

From iconic play to long ALS journey

Five years after that game, in 2011, Gleason disclosed that he had been diagnosed with ALS. The average life span following such a diagnosis is typically measured in just a few years, yet he belongs to the smaller group of patients who have lived with the disease for more than a decade. He now communicates through speech technology and needs assistance to move and breathe, but he continues to describe his life as rich and meaningful.

Gleason has become one of the most visible advocates in the ALS community. In 2019, he received the Congressional Gold Medal, the first former NFL player to do so, in recognition of his work raising awareness and supporting families affected by the disease. He also notes that NFL players appear to face a higher risk of developing ALS than the general population and has built connections with other current and former players who have battled the condition, including Chris Johnson, Tim Shaw, O.J. Brigance, Eric Stevens and Steve Smith.

In hindsight, Gleason views that blocked punt as far more than a single highlight. The moment elevated him from a largely anonymous special-teams contributor to a central figure in one of the most memorable nights in Saints history. When ALS entered his life, that visibility helped draw attention to his foundation’s work and to the broader fight against the disease, as people affected by ALS found inspiration in his story.

‘Rebirth’ lives on in music and memory

As the anniversary approaches, Gleason is channeling his experiences into a new creative project. He recently announced a music album titled “Rebirth,” directly echoing the name attached to the 2006 game and the theme that has run through his life since. The album pairs his poetry with instrumental performances from New Orleans musicians and focuses largely on his journey after his ALS diagnosis.

Two tracks have already been released, with more scheduled to drop over the course of October. For Gleason, the album extends his mission beyond speeches and advocacy, offering another way to connect with people living through hardship. On a night when the Saints will celebrate the 2006 team and the statue outside the Superdome that immortalizes his blocked punt, the former safety sees a clear line between the emotional lift that play gave New Orleans and the strength that still sustains him today.